Method of diagnosis and treatment of tumors using high intensity focused ultrasound

ABSTRACT

A method of diagnosis and treatment of tumors using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is provided. The method of diagnosing the presence of a tumor in a patient comprises the steps of subjecting a tumor to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to cause the tumor cells to release cellular material and evaluating the cellular material for a tumor marker. The method of treating a tumor in a patient can also comprise the step of subjecting a tumor to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to provoke an immune response.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to Provisional Application No.60/989,629, filed Nov. 21, 2007, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference, including any references citedtherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for thenon-invasive diagnosis and/or treatment of diseased tissue. Inparticular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and relatedmethods for the non-invasive diagnosis and/or treatment of tumors andmetastatic cancer with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

BACKGROUND

Diseased tissue, such as a cancerous tumor, is commonly diagnosed bytaking a biopsy of the tissue for pathology. The biopsy procedure,however, is invasive and involves the removal of a portion of the tissuefor analysis. Clearly, it is much more desirable to have a non-invasivemethod for such diagnosis.

One approach to the treatment of diseased tissue, particularly tumors,is surgical removal. Surgical removal, however, is invasive and can bequite complex and time consuming. Additionally, surgical treatmentrequires the selective treatment of each individual diseased tissue.Surgical treatment can also result in serious complications, such asfrom anesthesia. Clearly, a more comprehensive and non-invasivetreatment of similar or better efficacy than surgical removal isdesirable.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) has been demonstrated to be asafe modality to treat diseased tissue noninvasively. For example, HIFUhas been used to treat prostrate cancer, kidney cancer, and testicularcancer. An exemplary system used to administer HIFU is the Sonablate®500 (SB500) system available from Focus Surgery, located at 3940Pendleton Way, Indianapolis, Ind. 46226.

Further exemplary embodiments of systems used to administer HIFU aredisclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US2007/0010805, filed Jul. 8,2006, titled “Method and Apparatus for Treatment of Tissue;” U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2005/0240127, filed Mar. 2, 2005, titled“Ultrasound Phased Arrays;” U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationPublication No. US2008/0091123, filed May 6, 2004, titled “Treatment ofSpatially Oriented Disease with a Single Therapy, Imaging, and DopplerUltrasound Transducer;” PCT Patent Application Serial No. US2005/015648,filed May 5, 2005, designating the US, titled “Method and Apparatus forthe Selective Treatment of Tissue;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,582; U.S. Pat.No. 4,207,901; U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,560; U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,417; U.S.Pat. No. 4,248,090; U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,271; U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,370;U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,381; U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,512; U.S. Pat. No.4,620,546; U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,828; U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,121; U.S. Pat.No. 4,858,613; U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,653; U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,365; U.S.Pat. No. 5,036,855; U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,470; U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,102;U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,832; U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,319; U.S. Pat. No.5,215,680; U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,401; U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,935; U.S. Pat.No. 5,295,484; U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,197; U.S.Pat. No. 5,409,006; U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,069, U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,350,U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,126; U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,497, U.S. Pat. No.5,601,526; U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,479; U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,837; U.S. Pat.No. 5,643,179; U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,692; U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,031; U.S.Pat. No. 5,762,066; U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,640; U.S. Abandoned patentapplication Ser. No. 07/840,502 filed Feb. 21, 1992; Australian PatentNo. 5,732,801; Canadian Patent No. 1,332,441; and Canadian Patent No.2,250,081 (collectively the “HIFU Patents”), the disclosures of all ofwhich are expressly incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing the presence of atumor in a patient. The tumor is subjected to HIFU to cause the tumorcells to release cellular material. The cellular material comprises atleast one tumor marker. Biological fluid obtained from the patient isthen evaluated to determine the presence and/or level of the tumormarker in the fluid. Preferably, the biological fluid is blood, urine orsaliva.

The invention also provides a method of treating a malignant tumor in apatient. HIFU is delivered to the tumor to cause the tumor cells torelease cellular material that provokes an immune response. In oneembodiment, the patient's immune response to the tumor cells isamplified by using one or more immunotherapy techniques.

In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides a method oftreating metastatic cancer in a patient, where the cancer arises from atleast one malignant tumor in the patent. HIFU is delivered to the tumor,and the HIFU causes the release of cellular material from tumor cellswithin the tumor, thus provoking an immune response that encompassessome or all of the metastatic cells. In one embodiment, the patient'simmune response to the tumor cells is stimulated by using one or moreimmunotherapy techniques.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the invention provides a methodfor treating tumors that are not agitated by HIFU treatment. HIFU isdelivered to a tumor, wherein the HIFU causes the release of cellularmaterial that provokes an immune response to treat the unagitatedtumors.

However, persons skilled in the art will be able to apply the apparatusand methods of the invention to human patients and to non-human mammals,such as laboratory mice and rats, dogs, cats, horses, and primates, forresearch, diagnostic, or treatment purposes.

Additional features of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of the illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best modeof carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

As used herein, the term “tumor marker” is any detectable molecule froma tumor in a mammal that indicates the presence of the tumor in themammal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is schematic view of an exemplary HIFU System.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary method of diagnosing diseased tissue with theapplication of a treatment to agitate or ablate a suspected region oftissue where an example of a system to apply the treatment is the HIFUSystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary method of treating a tumor with HIFU andimmunotherapy.

FIG. 4 is another exemplary method of treating a tumor with HIFU andimmunotherapy.

FIG. 5 is a representation of the developed HIFU driving system to drivethe LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU.

FIG. 6 shows acoustic probes capable of delivering LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU.

FIG. 7 shows the Total Acoustic Power (TAP) probe output for theacoustic probes when coupled to the developed driving electronics.

FIG. 8 shows the typical in-vitro result using the HI-HIFU and LO-HIFUprobe.

FIG. 9 shows the instrument setup for the HIFU treatment of palpableflank tumors.

FIG. 10 shows the instrument setup for the HIFU treatment of footpadtumors.

FIG. 11 shows levels of HSP70 in serum and tumor lysate after HIFUtreatment.

FIG. 12 shows the frequency of IFN-γ releasing cells in spleenocytesthree days after HIFU treatment.

FIG. 13 shows tumor specific T cell response detected by IFN-γ releaseassay after HIFU treatment.

FIG. 14 shows cytotoxic function of tumor reactive T cells detected byCD107a mobilization assay after HIFU treatment.

FIG. 15 shows titers of tumor specific antibodies in serum after HIFUtreatment.

FIG. 16 shows delayed tumor growth after LO-HIFU followed by HI-HIFU.

FIG. 17 shows the general configuration of a coupling cone.

FIG. 18 shows phenotype of spleenocytes and levels of heat shock proteinafter HIFU treatment.

FIG. 19 shows the characteristics of the acoustic probes attached to theHIFU driving system.

FIG. 20 shows the phenotype of spleenocytes and levels of heat shockproteins after HIFU treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The application of energy to a targeted region (e.g. HIFU, cryoablation,ionizing radiation, radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation, etc.) isseparated into two types: high energy treatment and low energytreatment.

High energy treatment is defined as a treatment with the goal ofnecrosis or ablation of the targeted tissue. An example of a high energytreatment is high energy HIFU (HI-HIFU). HI-HIFU typically applies 3.1to 9.1 KW-sec of energy per cm², though intensities higher and lowerthan this range can be used. HI-HIFU typically operates with acontinuous wave applied for a duration in the range of 3 to 20 secondsand with an operating frequency range between 1 and 5 MHz, though longerand shorter durations can be used with higher or lower operationfrequencies. When HI-HIFU is used to cause extensive or essentiallycomplete necrosis, the frequency of the HIFU can be greater than about20 KHz and less than about 100 MHz. An example of a HI-HIFU treatment isthe complete ablation of the prostate using HI-HIFU with the result ofthe entire prostate experiencing coagulative necrosis.

In contrast, low energy treatment is defined as a treatment with energylevels such that the targeted tissue is agitated but remains viable. Anexample of a low energy treatment is low energy HIFU (LO-HIFU). Sincepulsing is a way of modulating power, LO-HIFU can be accomplished bypulsing of a HI-HIFU source. LO-HIFU can be accomplished by moving aHIFU transducer to move the focus of the HIFU. In one embodiment HI-HIFUis swept across the targeted tissue to accomplish LO-HIFU. LO-HIFUtypically applies 0.01 to 1.0 KW-sec of energy per cm², thoughintensities higher and lower than this range can be used. LO-HIFU, whenapplied in a pulsed manner, operates with a pulse duration in the 1 to100 millisecond range with pulse repetition frequencies in the rangebetween 0.5 to 5.0 Hz, though longer and shorter pulse durations can beused with higher or lower repetition frequencies. In one embodiment,LO-HIFU operates with a repetition frequency in the range between 0.5 to30 Hz. An example of a LO-HIFU treatment is the application of LO-HIFUin order to disturb the blood-brain barrier to permit the passage ofdrugs from the blood stream into the brain.

The application of the treatment described in this invention may occurusing invasive, minimally invasive, and non-invasive approaches. Theprobes used for applying the energy may be extracorporeal, intra-cavity,percutaneous, or applied in an open surgery. These probes may be appliedby manual/direct position with image guidance (e.g. visual, video,ultrasound, MRI, etc.), by robotic means with image guidance, or by somecombination of manual/direct and robotic. An exemplary type of treatmentis HIFU which is capable of delivering both “high” and “low” energy to atargeted region. An example is a HIFU probe introduced laparoscopicallyto treat (with “low” or “high” energy) a renal tumor that is guided byboth video feedback using the image provided by the laparoscope as wellas ultrasound guided using the mechanically controlled (robotic)ultrasound transducer within the HIFU probe.

An exemplary HIFU System 100 is shown in FIG. 1. HIFU System 100includes a probe 102 having a transducer member 104, a positioningmember 106, a controller 108 operably coupled to probe 102 and thepositioning member 106, a user input device 110 (such as keyboard,trackball, mouse, and/or touch screen), and a display 112. Probe 102 isoperably connected to controller 108 through positioning member 106.However, as indicated by line 105 probe 102 may be directly connectedwith controller 108. Positioning member 106 is configured to linearlyposition transducer member 104 along directions 113, 114 and toangularly position transducer member 104 in directions 115, 116. Furtherdetails of suitable HIFU systems used in the treatment of tissue whichmay be modified to execute the methods described here are provided inthe HIFU Patents. In one embodiment, HIFU System 100 is configured toboth image tissue and to treat tissue.

In one embodiment, HIFU System 100 is configured to provide a HI-HIFUtreatment. A HI-HIFU treatment includes the administration of acousticenergy in a manner that causes generally instantaneous thermally inducedcoagulative necrosis of the targeted tissue. For example, HI-HIFUtreatment is administered as a continuous wave having a duration ofabout 3 seconds, an operating frequency of about 4 MHz, and approximatefocal spatial peak temporal peak (SPTP) intensities of about 1.3 toabout 2.0 KW/cm², resulting in tissue temperatures in the focal zone ofabout 80° C. to about 95° C.

In another embodiment, HIFU System 100 is configured to provide aLO-HIFU treatment. A LO-HIFU treatment includes the administration ofacoustic energy in a manner that causes a membrane of a cell to bedisrupted while maintaining cell viability and avoiding cavitation.LO-HIFU treatment enables DNA and other molecules to pass through thecell membrane as discussed in the article by KM Dittmar, J Xie, FHunter, C Trimble, M Bur, V Frenkel, and KCP Li, titled “PulsedHigh-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Enhances Systemic Administration ofNaked DNA in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model: Initial Experience”Radiology. 235 (2): p. 541-546, 2005, the disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In oneexample, LO-HIFU treatment is administered as a series of short pulsesof acoustic energy with a pulse duration in the range of micro-secondsto milli-seconds (pulse repetition rate of about 1 Hz), approximatefocal spatial peak temporal peak intensities of about 0.5 KW/cm², and anoperating frequency of about 1 MHz.

In one embodiment, HIFU System 100 is configured to selectively provideboth a HI-HIFU treatment and a LO-HIFU treatment. In one embodiment,HIFU System 100 includes a pre-programmed setting for each of a HI-HIFUtreatment and a LO-HIFU treatment such that the user selects a targettissue by methods explained in the HIFU Patents previously referenced.

The exemplary HIFU System 100 is capable of applying HIFU through anextracorporeal probe, an intra-cavity probe, a laparoscopic probe, or aprobe designed for open surgery. The probe may be placed directly on thetarget tissue.

An exemplary HIFU driving system is shown in FIG. 5. The main goal ofthis driving system is to provide a general-purpose, easy-to-use,compact, and portable system for delivering HIFU. The system has anoperating frequency in the range of about 0.5 to 30 Hz, a minimum focalintensity of about 0.5 KW/cm² for LO-HIFU probes, and a minimum focalintensity of about 2.0 KW/cm² for HI-HIFU probes. The driving system hasa minimum “on” time of about 0.05 seconds and a maximum “on” time ofabout 30 seconds. The driving system has a minimum “off” time of about0.05 seconds and a maximum “off” time of about 30 seconds. The controlsfor the “on” time and the “off” time are programmable.

The driving electronics for the HIFU driving system consist of a signalgenerator, RF amplifier, water circulation pump with a solid-stateliquid-to-air chiller, inline water degassing system, and bolus volumeadjustment for probe cooling and coupling, a USB-basedcomputer/amplifier interface, and a laptop computer for HIFU on/off andpower control, all housed in one unit.

The acoustic probes attached to the HIFU driving system are shown inFIG. 5. The HI-HIFU acoustic probes in the driving system wereconfigured to have an operating frequency of about 4 MHz, and theLO-HIFU acoustic probes in the driving system were configured to have anoperating frequency of about 1 MHz. Both the HI-HIFU acoustic probes andthe LO-HIFU acoustic probes were configured to have an F-number ofapproximately 1. Additional characteristics of these probes are shown inFIG. 17.

Coupling boli (“cones”) of different heights were also constructed thatare attached to the front of the probe, so as to allow for transducercooling, transducer/tissue coupling, and focal zone placement at adesired depth. The cones are closed on one end with an acousticallytransparent latex membrane. In one embodiment, the cones are made frompoly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA), though any similar material may beused.

The general configuration of the cone characteristics are shown in FIG.19.

The following relationship was used to choose the cone and adjust thebolus height for placing the transducer focal spot at a desired depth:

Total Height=Focal Length+Cone Height−Tip Height−Desired Focus Depth

In the examples described herein, the tall cones were used throughout.With a desired focus depth of 0 to −2 mm, this arrangement allowed theplacement of the focal zone of both transducers to be just within theanimal tumor and facilitated probe-tip/tumor alignment.

The driving electronics, water management system, probes and boli weretested in-vitro with fresh chicken tissue at approximately 30-35° C. Thepurpose of these tests was also to determine starting operatingparameters for the in-vivo experiments with respect to the TotalAcoustic Power (TAP, shown in FIG. 7), HIFU on time, HIFU off time,spacing between individual sites, and number of cycles in order toachieve the required intensities and therapeutic effects. For theHI-HIFU probe, these effects mainly included thermal tissue coagulativenecrosis using short exposure times (1-5 seconds); for the LO-HIFUprobe, these effects mainly included tissue temperature rises of no morethan 5° C. to maintain tissue viability while using pulsing sequences.

For the HI-HIFU probe, a TAP of 5 W, a HIFU “on” time of 30-60 seconds(1 cycle) and 3-4 mm spacing between adjacent treatment sites resultedin a continguous ablation region and tissue temperatures exceeding 80°C. (FIG. 8). For the LO-HIFU probe, a TAP of 20-40 W, a HIFU “on” timeof 0.1 seconds, a HIFU “off” time of about 1 to 60 seconds, 60-120cycles, and 3 mm spacing between adjacent treatment sites resulted in atissue temperature rise <10° C. without indication of ablation. Thesevalues formed the starting operating parameters for the in-vivoexperiments, and were modified as required.

It has been shown that the administration of HI-HIFU treatment to theprostate results in an elevated release of specific antigen levels, inparticular PSA, into the bloodstream. Further details are provided inU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2007/0010805, filed Jul. 8,2005, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF TISSUE”, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety, and in the article by T Uchida, H Tsumura, H Yamashita, MKatsuta, D Ishii, T Satoh, A Ohkawa, T Hyodo, and NT Sanghvi, titled“Transrectal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Treatment of Patientswith Stage T1b-2NOM Localized Prostate Cancer: A Preliminary Report”published in Japanese Journal of Endourology and ESWL. 16(1): p.108-114, 2003, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

As explained herein, HIFU may be used to induce the release of heatshock proteins, which stimulate the immune response of the patient. Inparticular, experiments were conducted with HI-HIFU, which was used toapproximate a LO-HIFU treatment.

The invention provides a method of diagnosing the presence of amalignant tumor in a patient. The tumor is subjected to HIFU to causethe tumor cells to release cellular material. The cellular materialcomprises at least one tumor marker. As used herein, the term “tumormarker” is any detectable molecule from a tumor in a mammal thatindicates the presence of the tumor in the mammal. Preferably, themammal is a human and the tumor marker is a human tumor marker.

A biological fluid from the patient is then evaluated to determine thepresence and/or the level of the tumor marker. The presence and/or levelof the tumor marker (or the absence thereof) may be determined prior toapplication of the HIFU and then compared to the presence and/or levelof the tumor marker after the application of the HIFU. Preferably, thebiological fluid is blood, urine or saliva.

Based upon the ability of HIFU to induce the release of material fromcells, such as proteins, and other cellular material, HIFU may be usedas a generally non-invasive form of evaluating a given tissue fordisease, such as cancer. Referring to FIG. 2, a first exemplary method200 is shown.

In one of the diagnostic aspects of the invention, the HIFU is LO-HIFU.The energy of the LO-HIFU may be adjusted to maintain tumor cellviability.

In another diagnostic aspect of the invention, HI-HIFU is used. Thisresults in at least partial necrosis of the tumor, and often extensiveor essentially complete necrosis. When used in this manner, thefrequency of the HIFU is greater than about 20 KHz and less than about100 MHz.

The HIFU may be applied more than once. In a preferred embodiment,LO-HIFU is first applied to the tumor, followed within a time period oftwo to seven days by HI-HIFU. Alternatively, the LO-HIFU is applied tothe tumor, followed within a time period of two to seven days by anotherLO-HIFU treatment. In yet another alternative, the HI-HIFU is applied tothe tumor, followed within a time period of two to seven days by anotherHI-HIFU treatment. In yet another alternative, a combination of LO-HIFUand HI-HIFU is applied to the tumor, followed within a time period oftwo to seven days by another combination of LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU.

A baseline measure of the disease marker is obtained prior toapplication of HIFU to the targeted tissue. As discussed herein, theLO-HIFU or HI-HIFU treatment 202 in FIG. 2 causes the release ofcellular materials from the targeted tissue into the bloodstream andpotentially into other bodily fluids, such as urine or saliva. Diseasedcells, such as malignant cells, contain cellular material that providean indication of disease either from the presence or the prevalence ofthe cellular marker in the bodily fluid following the agitation/ablationof the targeted tissue from the treatment 202. Such markers includetumor antigens, tumor markers and heat shock proteins (HSPs). BothHI-HIFU and LO-HIFU treatments may be used to release markers into abodily fluid. In some instances, LO-HIFU treatment may result in ahigher level of such cellular material to be released into thebiological fluid by the cells targeted by the LO-HIFU treatment, therebyraising the level of the cellular material in the biological fluid, suchas blood, saliva, or urine. In one embodiment, the time between theapplication of HIFU and the evaluation of the cellular material is 24 to48 hours. A complete HI-HIFU treatment of the tumor (e.g. total ablationof the prostate using high energy HIFU) quickly destroys the cells andthe vascular system and may provide a reduced production and release ofdisease markers (e.g. HSPs) with a reduced ability to distribute thesemarkers to the bodily fluid of interest in comparison to LO-HIFU.Another instance may use LO-HIFU followed by a partial HI-HIFU treatmentof the tumor in order to develop and release markers into the biologicalfluid.

The evaluation 204, in FIG. 2, of biological fluid determines thepresence and/or level of the marker in the fluid. In one embodiment,wherein the biological fluid is blood, a blood sample is drawn from thepatient and processed to evaluate the blood by techniques known to thoseskilled in the art.

Based upon the presence and/or level of the marker in the biologicalfluid, a determination 206 may be made regarding whether the targettissue is diseased or normal.

Other markers indicate the presence of a condition when theirconcentration is above or below a certain level. Prostate SpecificAntigen (PSA) is an example of such a marker.

Persons skilled in the art are familiar with many markers, and with howthey indicate the presence or absence of conditions. The use of them inthe diagnostic techniques of this invention is based on this experiencewith known diagnostic markers, as well as new markers. Such markers aregiven new and/or enhanced usefulness by the diagnostic techniques ofthis invention.

If the determination is made that the cells are normal, then asubsequent follow-up test 210 may be scheduled to monitor the status ofthe tissue.

If the determination is made that the cells are diseased, thenappropriate treatment action can be taken, as demonstrated in 208.

The invention also provides a method of treating a malignant tumor in amammal, preferably a human patient. This method involved stimulating thepatient's immune response to malignant tumor cells in the malignanttumor. It is particularly useful in treating metastatic cancer in thepatient, where the cancer arises from at least one malignant tumor. Themethod comprises delivering HIFU to the tumor to cause the tumor cellsto release cellular material and amplifying the patient's immuneresponse to the tumor cells by using one or more immunotherapytechniques that utilize the cellular material. The tumor may be anysolid tumor. In a preferred embodiment, the tumor is prostate cancer.

The cellular material comprises molecules released from the cell by theHIFU. For example, the molecules may be DNA, RNA, proteins, andpeptides. Among the proteins released are heat shock proteins. Certainof these molecules may act as a tumor antigen. As used herein, the term“tumor antigen” is a molecule from a tumor in a mammal that stimulatesan immune response in the mammal to the molecule and/or to the tumorcell. Preferably, the mammal is a human and the tumor antigen is a humantumor antigen

Various methods may be used to treat the diseased tissue, includingHI-HIFU treatment, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery. In oneembodiment, HI-HIFU treatment is used to non-invasively treat thediseased tissue. Exemplary methods of performing HI-HIFU treatment areprovided in the HIFU Patents previously referenced, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Further, based upon the ability of the application of HIFU 202, in FIG.2, to induce the release of material from cells such as proteins andother antigenic lysates, such treatment may be combined with anyimmunological therapy or series of immunological therapies to treatdiseased tissue.

The HIFU can be applied in any one of the following manners:extracorporeal, intra-cavity, percutaneous, robotic, laparoscopic anddirectly on the tumor. The HIFU may be applied using intensitymodulation and/or frequency modulation.

HIFU treatment can go beyond treating a targeted tumor and can treat theoccurrence of cancer in the tissue surrounding the targeted region ordistant metastatic cancer. Referring to FIG. 3, a first exemplary method300 is proposed for such treatment.

An exemplary integrated Local Energy Application with ImmunologicalTherapy 300 is shown in FIG. 3. As generally represented by area 302,stem cells are stimulated with dendritic cell (DC)-stimulating cytokinesto produce DCs 303 in order to prepare the immune system to be receptiveto the cellular material disbursed by the HIFU treatment 306. ExemplaryDC-stimulating cytokines include G-CSF, GM-CSF and FIt3L. Next, thetarget tissue 304 is treated with HIFU 306. The target tissue releasescellular material 308, such as heat shock proteins and antigeniclysates.

In one embodiment, the low energy treatment 306 in FIG. 3 is LO-HIFU.Without being bound by theory, the Applicants believe that HIFU inducesheat shock proteins (HSPs) in tumor cells, which are released in theblood after HIFU treatment of solid tumors. Since HSPs-bind tointratumoral peptides, spontaneous release of HSPs from HIFU-treatedtumor cells should provide a source of tumor antigens for antigenpresentation by circulating DCs 303. The cellular material 308 isuptaken by the DCs 303. The tumor antigen-loaded DCs then expectedmigrate into the lymph nodes as represented by area 310. Furthermore,the HSPs released in the blood after HIFU treatment of tumor cellsprovide the “danger” signals to the DCs and also to provide a source ofcomprehensive tumor-derived peptides for efficient antigen presentation.

In the lymph nodes, maturation of the DCs occurs as represented by area312 in FIG. 3. In one example, CD40L provides signals for DC maturationand thereby eliminates the need of CD4 T cells. Further, in one example,secondary lymphoid chemokines (SLCs) assist in the migration of DCs intodraining lymph nodes and interact with T cells to induce a cell-mediatedanti-tumoral immunity. Sequential use of T lymphocyte-stimulatingcytokines induces a strong immune response. Further, IL-2 amplifies thetumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and IL-15 induces a strong memoryT cell response.

As a result, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) proliferate and destroyother tumor cells as represented by area 314 in FIG. 3. Thus,HIFU-treated tumor cells serve as an in situ tumor vaccine and induce astrong tumor-specific immune response to eradicate distantmicro-metastases in recurrent solid tumors.

In one embodiment, administration of anti-CTLA4 antibodies after theHIFU treatment down-regulate regulatory T cells, thereby augmenting thetumor-specific immune response. In another embodiment, administration of4-1BBL enhances the CTL effector and memory T cells. In still anotherembodiment, a variety of CpG oligonucleotides are used with the HIFUtreatment to enhance the innate immunity after treatment. CpGoligonucleotides induce DC maturation and break tolerance to tumorantigens.

Instead of individualized vaccines, treatment 300 in FIG. 3 depends onthe endogenous circulating DCs to harvest the tumor antigens released bydying cells after an HIFU treatment. In addition, combining traditionalimmunotherapy with local tumor high and/or low energy HIFU treatmentshould at least allow the local energy treatment to reduce the tumorburden without causing generalized immuno-suppression as seen withchemotherapy. Further, the combination should also serve as antigendepot for “boosting” immunological memory and inducing a more extensiveimmune response by antigen spreading, thereby enhancing the vaccineeffect.

The immune response produced by exemplary method 300 in FIG. 3 may bemonitored by known techniques. If the immune response is insufficient,the process 300 may be repeated. If the immune response is acceptableand the local disease is insufficiently treated following the previousenergy treatment, a high energy HIFU treatment may be applied with orwithout the immunotherapy steps to address the local disease. Theexemplary method 400 shown in FIG. 4 demonstrates the choices followingtreatment using the immunology with energy application treatment.

As represented by 402 in FIG. 4, the patient's immune system is preparedto be receptive to tumor antigens. Exemplary preparation is the use ofcytokines to stimulate the production of dendritic cells. The tumorregion, such as the prostate, is subjected to LO-HIFU treatment 404. Asan alternative, the tumor region can be subjected to HI-HIFU or to acombination of LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU. The treatment releases cellularmaterial from the tumor cells, including heat shock proteins andantigenic lysates. One or more immunotherapy techniques 406 are appliedto precisely stimulate the immune system response.

As represented by 408, the immune response of the patient is monitored.If the immune response is unacceptable, the process 400 may be repeated.If the immune response is sufficient and the local disease is fullytreated, then no additional treatment is needed. If the immune responseis sufficient but the local disease is not fully treated, then a highenergy HIFU treatment 412 is applied to completely ablate the tumor andmay be repeated if local disease recurs.

The immunotherapy technique may be applied more than once. It may beapplied before or after the HIFU treatment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the immunotherapy techniquecomprises delivering to the mammal an effective amount of thecomposition that stimulates the immune system of the mammal. Thecomposition may be an anti-tumor vaccine, such as an autologous tumorcell vaccine.

Alternatively, the composition is an immunomodulatory molecule.Preferably, the molecule is a cytokine Such cytokines include, but arenot limited to, lymphokines, interleukins and chemokines In one aspectof the invention, the cytokine is a dendritic cell-stimulating cytokineThese include G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-4, and FIt3L.

In another embodiment of the invention, the immune response provoked bythe use of HIFU is enhanced by the administration of compositions whichcause the body to have a stronger immune response. These immune boostingcompositions are known in the art, although their use in the context ofHIFU treatments is novel. Examples of these compositions includecytokines, such as lymphokines and chemokines Preferably, these aredendritic cell stimulating cytokines.

These immune boosting compositions include G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-4, andFit3L. A number of suitable immune boosting compositions are availablecommercially and are already approved for use in humans, though not yetapproved for use in this context. For example, Leukine is a GM-CSFproduct available from Berlex Laboratories. Neupogen is recombinantmethionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (r-metHuG-CSF)available from Amgen. Neulasta is a covalent conjugate of recombinantmethionyl human G-CSF and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol and is alsoavailable from Amgen. Proleukin is IL-2, and is available from Novartis.Other useful immune boosting compositions include IL-2, IL-I-5, CD40L,4-1 BB ligand, or a CpG oligonucleotide. In still another aspect of theinvention, the immunomodulatory molecule is a molecule thatdown-regulates regulatory T-cells. These molecules include an anti-CTLA4antibody.

These and other immune boosting compositions are effective in enhancingthe immune response provoked by use of HIFU according to the presentinvention. Techniques for their safe use is well known to those skilledin the cancer therapy field. The specific dose of each of thesecompositions which is used in a particular patient is a matter for thewell-informed clinician's professional judgment based on wellestablished factors including body weight, prior status of the patient'simmune system, and the closely monitored response of the patient to thecomposition. This same judgment, operating within these well establishedclinical parameters, applies when the immune boosting compositions areused as part of this invention.

EXAMPLES

The following examples demonstrate the embodiment of the presentinvention as described above.

Example 1

To investigate the complimentary nature of HIFU with immunotherapy, aHIFU system was designed with a probe that is capable of providing theuser with control over the acoustic properties of the ultrasoundtransmission and sized appropriately for use in the preclinical murinemodel. The immune system response to the sequential application of bothLO-HIFU, followed by one-to-two days later, HI-HIFU was addressed in theanimal model.

The modified Sonablate® 500 operates at HI-HIFU with approximate focalspatial peak temporal peak (SPTP) intensities of 1300 to 2000 W/cm². TheHIFU continuous wave of 3 seconds and operating frequency of 4 MHz forthe treatment of prostate cancer is used to achieve tissue temperaturesin the focal zone of 80° C. to 95° C. The resulting thermal lesions areapproximately 3 mm×3 mm×12 mm with a very sharp demarcation with notissue damage beyond the focal zone.

For LO-HIFU, the pulse duration is in the micro-second to milli-secondrange with approximate focal intensities (SPTP) of 500 W/cm² and pulserepetition frequencies (PRF) on the order of 1 Hz. Also to limittemperature elevation, a lower center frequency near 1 MHz is generallyemployed. Thus, cells experience mechanical agitation while remainingviable.

The model was established by inoculating a murine prostate cancer cellline, RM-1-0T, which was transfected with ovalbumin, on the footpad andflank of C57BU6 mice. HIFU treatment was administered when tumor sizereached 3-5 mm in diameter and adverse effects were evaluated 1-2 weeksafter the initial treatment. Phenotype of splenocytes and levels of heatshock protein 70 in tumor and serum were analyzed by flow cytometry andELISA, 24 hours after HIFU treatment. The results of this analysis areshown in FIGS. 18 and 20.

To evaluate the tumor specific immune response, mice were treated threetimes by HIFU at one week interval and sacrificed one week after lasttreatment. Frequency of tumor specific T cells was analyzed by IFN-γ,release ELISPOT assay and cytotoxic functions of these tumor reactive Tcells were detected by CD107a mobilization assay. Titer of tumorspecific antibodies in serum was evaluated by indirect •ELISA assay.Tumor growth curve was generated by measuring three orthogonal tumordiameters at 1-3-day intervals with a vernier caliper.

To establish a model of prostate cancer, C57BU6 mice (n=40) wereinjected subcutaneously on footpad or flank with 1×705 RM-1-OT tumorcells. About 10 days later, the tumor became palpable (3-5 mm indiameter), whereupon treatment was initiated. The RM-1-OT is derivedfrom a murine prostate cancer cell line, RM-1, but modified to expresschicken ovalbumin (OVA) by stable transfection. OVA was used as a modeltumor antigen so that the tumor-specific immune response can bemonitored easily.

The instrument setup for the HIFU treatment of palpable flank andfootpad tumors is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, respectively. Mice wereanesthetized before treatment, and the tumor volume was measured tocalculate the grid for alignment. Mice were divided into 4 groups (5each group) and treated with or without low energy, high energy andcombined LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU. In the last combination group, mice werefirst treated by LO-HIFU and then HI-HIFU was given 24 hours later. Thedetailed parameters for each kind of treatment are shown in Table 1 andTable 2.

Adverse events were evaluated within 2 weeks after initial treatment andthe most frequently observed symptoms were tumor bleeding, ulcerationand bone destruction. As shown in table 1, the color of tumor turned towhite and red after HI-HIFU treatment and the feet were fell off 1 weeklater caused by bone fracture. The LO-HIFU did not break the bone onfoot but caused tumor ulceration after 1 week as compared with tumorwithout HIFU treatment. To maximally reduce the occurrence of theseadverse symptoms, the parameters for low and high energy HIFU wereadjusted and the location of tumor was changed to flank to avoid bonedestruction. As shown in table 2, no adverse symptom was found justafter HIFU treatment but slight ulceration and bleeding still occurredafter 2 weeks.

To further evaluate the effect of HIFU on immune cells, spleenocyteswere isolated 24 hours after HIFU treatment and the percentages of Tcells, B cells, NK cells and Dendritic cells were analyzed by flowcytometry. As shown in table 3, no significant difference was foundamong these groups indicating there was no adverse effect on immunecells by HIFU treatment. On the contrary, a slight increase in T cells,CD4/8 ratio and CD69+ T cells was found in mice treated with combinedLO-HIFU and HI-HIFU.

HSP70, a member of heat shock protein family, was found to have potenteffect on the enhancement of immune response to tumor. The release ofthis heat shock protein to the tumor milieu and serum could activatetumor infiltrating and circulating dendritic cells, thus induce asystematic immune response against localize tumor and metastasis. Toevaluate whether HIFU could induce HSP70 release in this manner, tumorlysate and serum were collected 24 hours after treatment and levels ofHSP70 in these samples were assayed by ELISA using a commercial kit. Asshown in FIG. 11, highest level of HSP70 was found in tumor lysate andserum from mice treated by combined LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU. Low and HI-HIFUalone could also induce a detectable HSP release as compared with notreatment group. These results suggest that combined LO-HIFU and HI-HIFUmay be the best way to induce a protective immune response againsttumor.

To evaluate the frequency and magnitude of tumor specific immuneresponse, mice (n=16) were treated once by HIFU and then sacrificed onday 3, 7 and 14. Spleenocytes were isolated at each time point andassayed by IFN-y release ELISPOT. Unfortunately, no tumor specific Tcell response was detected at each sample indicating one HIFU treatmentmaybe not enough to induce a potent immune response in vivo. The onlyfinding in this experiment was that the total number of IFN-y producingcells was highest in mice treated with combined low and high energy HIFUon day 3 (FIG. 12).

To enhance the induction of tumor specific immune response, mice (n=16)were treated three times by HIFU at one week interval and sacrificed oneweek after last treatment. Frequency of tumor specific T cells inspleenocytes was analyzed by IFN-y release ELISPOT assay and cytotoxicfunctions of these tumor reactive T cells were detected by CD107amobilization assay. As shown in FIG. 13, potentRM-1-OT specific responsewas detected in mice treated with combined LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU and thisresponse was also found to be specific to both the MHC class Irestricted peptide, OVA257 269 and MHC, class II restricted peptide,OVA323-339. In contrast, no significant immune response was detected inmice treated with LO-HIFU and HI-HIFU alone. FIG. 14 shows the frequencyof cytotoxic T cells in mice treated with and without HIFU. Unlike theresults from ELISPOT assay, tumor specific CD107a+ T cells could befound in almost every mouse spleenocytes even without any treatment Butthe highest percentage was still found in mice treated with combinedLO-HIFU and HI-HIFU which was consistent with the results from ELISPOTassay. The possible explanation of this discrepancy is that some tumorreactive cytotoxic T cells may not be able to release IFN-y when theyencountered tumor cells.

Beside cellular immune response, HIFU was also found to induce humoralimmune response against tumor. Interestingly, the tumor specificantibodies could only be detected in serum from mice treated withHI-HIFU (FIG. 15). The titors of tumor specific antibodies in the other3 groups were similar as normal mice without any treatment.

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of HIFU treatment on tumor, a tumorgrowth curve was generated by measuring the tumor volume at 1-3-dayintervals with a vernier caliper. As shown in FIG. 16, significant tumorretardation was found in mice treated with HI-HIFU and combined LO-HIFUand HI-HIFU. This result correlated with the cellular and humoral tumorspecific immune response observed in these mice and may provide a strongevidence for linking HIFU with immune regulation.

Example 2

The immune system response in patients is amplified as follows. Thismodel involves the sequential application of both LO-HIFU, followed byone-to-two days later, HI-HIFU.

The Sonablate® 500 operates at HI-HIFU with approximate focal spatialpeak temporal peak (SPTP) intensities of 1300 to 2000 W/cm². The HIFUcontinuous wave of 3 seconds and operating frequency of 4 MHz for thetreatment of prostate cancer is used to achieve tissue temperatures inthe focal zone of 80° C. to 95° C. The resulting thermal lesions areapproximately 3 mm×3 mm×12 mm with a very sharp demarcation with notissue damage beyond the focal zone.

For LO-HIFU, the pulse duration is in the micro-second to milli-secondrange with approximate focal intensities (SPTP) of 500 W/cm² and pulserepetition frequencies (PRF) on the order of 1 Hz. Also to limittemperature elevation, a lower center frequency near 1 MHz is generallyemployed. Thus, cells experience mechanical agitation while remainingviable.

The application of LO-HIFU to a tumor causes the release of cellularmaterial from tumor cells within the tumor. The patient's immuneresponse to the tumor cells is stimulated by using several immunotherapytechniques that utilize the cellular material. These immunotherapytechniques involve delivering to the patient an effective amount of acomposition that stimulates the immune system of the patient. Thecomposition may be an anti-tumor vaccine, such as an autologous tumorcell vaccine. Alternatively, the composition may be an immunomodulatorymolecule. Preferably the molecule is a cytokine. Such cytokines include,but are not limited to, lymphokines, interleukins and chemokines Thecytokine is a dendritic cell stimulating cytokine, G-CSF. G-CSF iscommercially available as Neulasta® and as Neupogen®. The maximum amountof Neulasta® that can be safely administered in single or multiple doseshas not been determined. Single doses of 300 mcg/kg have beenadministered SC to 8 normal volunteers and 3 patients with non-smallcell lung cancer without serious adverse effects. These subjectsexperienced a mean maximum ANC of 55×10⁹/L, with a corresponding meanmaximum WBC of 67×10⁹/L. The absolute maximum ANC observed was 96×10⁹/Lwith a corresponding absolute maximum WBC observed of 120×10⁹/L. Theduration of leukocytosis ranged from 6 to 12 days. Leukapheresis shouldbe considered in the management of symptomatic individuals. The maximumtolerated dose of Neupogen® has not been determined. Efficacy wasdemonstrated at doses of 4 to 8 mcg/kg/day in the phase 3 study ofnonmyeloablative chemothreapy. Patients in the BMT studies received upto 138 mcg/kg/day without toxic effects, although there was a flatteningof the dose response curve above daily doses of greater than 10mcg/kg/day.

The release of the dendritic cell-stimulating cytokines producedendritic cells in order to prepare the immune system to be receptive tothe cellular material disbursed by the HIFU treatment. The HIFU inducesheat shock proteins in tumor cells, which are released in the bloodafter HIFU treatment of solid tumors. The heat shock proteins bind tointratumoral peptides, and spontaneous release of heat shock proteinsfrom HIFU-treated tumor cells provide a source of tumor antigenpresentation by circulating dendritic cells. The cellular material isuptaken by the dendritic cells. The tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cellsmigrate into the lymph nodes. The heat shock proteins released in theblood after HIFU treatment of tumor cells provide the “danger” signal tothe dendritic cells and also provide a source of comprehensivetumor-derived peptides for efficient antigen presentation.

In the lymph nodes, maturation of the dendritic cells occurs. Forexample, CD40L provides signals for dendritic cell maturation andthereby eliminates the need of CD4 T cells. In another example,secondary lymphoid chemokines (SLCs) assist in the anti-tumoralimmunity. Sequential use of T lymphocyte-stimulating cytokines induces astrong immune response. Further, IL-2 amplifies the tumor-specificcytotoxic T lymphocytes and IL-15 induces a strong memory T cellresponse.

As a result, cytotoxic T lymphocytes proliferate and destroy other tumorcells. Thus, HIFU-treated tumor cells serve as an in situ tumor vaccineand induce a strong tumor-specific immune response to eradicate distantmicro-metastases in recurrent solid tumors.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain illustrated embodiments, variations and modifications existwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined inthe following claims.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A method of treating a tumor in a patient, themethod comprising the step of subjecting a tumor to high intensityfocused ultrasound (HIFU), wherein the application of HIFU provokes animmune response.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the HIFU is a highenergy, high intensity focused ultrasound (HI-HIFU).
 30. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the HIFU is a low energy, high intensity focusedultrasound (LO-HIFU).
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the HIFU isadministered as a combination of HI-HIFU and LO-HIFU.
 32. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the tumor is subjected to HIFU that is appliedcontinuously for about 3 to 20 seconds.
 33. The method of claim 28,wherein the tumor is subjected to HIFU that is applied as a pulse with apulse duration of about 1 to 100 milliseconds.
 34. The method of claim30, wherein the tumor is subjected to LO-HIFU by moving a HIFU focusacross a tumor.
 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the tumor issubjected to HI-HIFU that moves across a tumor.
 36. The method of claim28, wherein the tumor is subjected to more than application of HIFU. 37.The method of claim 28, wherein the HIFU causes necrosis of the tumor.38. The method of claim 28, wherein the HIFU does not cause necrosis ofthe tumor.
 39. The method of claim 28, wherein the HIFU causes necrosisof a portion of the tumor.
 40. The method of claim 29, wherein theHI-HIFU applies power in the amount of about 1.3 to 2.0 KW per cm². 41.The method of claim 29, wherein the HI-HIFU has an operating frequencyof about 1.0 to 5.0 MHz.
 42. The method of claim 29, wherein the HI-HIFUhas an operating frequency greater than about 20 KHz and less than about100 MHz.
 43. The method of claim 30, wherein the LO-HIFU applies powerin the amount of about 0.5 KW per cm².
 44. The method of claim 30,wherein the LO-HIFU applies energy in the amount of about 0.01 to 3.0KW-seconds per cm².
 45. The method of claim 30, wherein the LO-HIFUoperates with a pulse having a duration of about 0.01 to 1.0 secondswith pulse repetition frequencies of about 0.5 to 5.0 Hz.
 46. The methodof claim 30, wherein the LO-HIFU operates with repetition frequencies ofabout 0.5 to 30.0 Hz.
 47. The method of claim 35, wherein the HI-HIFUoperates with repetition frequencies of about 0.5 to 30.0 Hz.
 48. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the HIFU is applied in one of the followingapproaches: extracorporeal, infra cavity, percutaneous, robotic,laparoscopic, and directly on the tumor.
 49. The method of claim 28,wherein the HIFU is applied using one or more of intensity modulationand frequency modulation.
 50. The method of claim 33, wherein thefrequency of the HIFU is greater than about 20 KHz and less than about100 MHz.
 51. The method of claim 28, wherein low energy, high intensityfocused ultrasound (LO-HIFU) is administered before high energy, highintensity focused ultrasound (HI-HIFU).
 52. The method of claim 28,wherein the immune response is directed to diseased tissue other thanthe tumor subjected to the HIFU.
 53. The method of claim 28, wherein theimmune response is enhanced by administering an immunomodulatorycompound.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the administration of theimmunomodulatory compound includes proving at least one immunomodulatorymolecule.
 55. The method of claim 54 wherein the immunomodulatorymolecule is a cytokine
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the cytokineis a dendritic cell-stimulating cytokine
 57. The method of claim 55,wherein the cytokine is selected from the group consisting of G-CSF andGM-CSF.
 58. The method of claim 55, wherein the cytokine is selectedfrom the group consisting of chemokines, lymphokines and interleukins.59. The method of claim 53, wherein the administration of theimmunomodulatory compound comprises delivering to the patient aneffective amount of a composition that stimulates the immune system ofthe patient.
 60. The method of claim 55, wherein the cytokine is a Tlymphocyte-stimulating cytokine
 61. The method of claim 58, wherein theT lymphocyte-stimulating cytokine is IL-2 or IL-15.
 62. The method ofclaim 54, wherein the immunomodulatory molecule is CD40L.
 63. The methodof claim 54, wherein the immunomodulatory molecule is a molecule is achemokine
 64. The method of claim 54, wherein the immunomodulatorymolecule is a molecule that down-regulates regulatory T-cells.
 65. Themethod of claim 64, wherein the immunomodulatory molecule is ananti-CTLA4 antibody.
 66. The method of claim 54, wherein theimmunomodulatory molecule is 4-1 BB ligand.
 67. The method of claim 54,wherein the immunomodulatory molecule is a CpG oligonucleotide.
 68. Themethod of claim 54, wherein the composition comprises an anti-tumorvaccine.
 69. The method of claim 54, wherein the vaccine comprises anautologous tumor cell vaccine.